Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

Before heading to Mount Beimang, I needed to uncover the true identity of the Mount Tai Earth Lord!

The moment my plan took shape, I started thinking about how to proceed. No matter what, storming straight into the Heavenly Realm to interrogate them about the Mount Tai Earth Lord's identity and demand an Underworld Passage Permit was out of the question. After pondering deeply, I said,

"Can't we just summon the Mount Tai Earth Lord with a ritual offering?"

"Good idea. We'll need to offer a sacrifice to obtain permission to enter the Underworld. What do you plan to use as the offering?"

"Hmm..."

I mulled it over. What would be a suitable sacrifice?

Since Master Jang Sam-bong had returned the offerings, we actually had plenty. After some thought, I said,

"I'll offer that."

"Baek Woong, couldn't we investigate that a bit more before handing it over? It might be a hassle to obtain something hidden in the Western Water Monk's grasp in your next life."

"How so?"

"It's just a hunch, but there's something worth trying with what we already have."

I decided to follow Mangnyang's suggestion.

Swoosh

Soon, I pulled the mysterious silver spear I'd received from the Western Water Monk Bellow out of my wooden box and focused my strength into my hand. Yin God Power began gathering in my palm and seeped into the spear. I channeled my energy and poured a massive surge into it.

Rumble

The silver spear suddenly emitted waves and reacted. Mangnyang, watching from the side, said in surprise,

"As expected... that spear has quite the story behind it. It's a remarkable treasure."

"It's tough. Do I have to keep pouring in power?"

"No choice."

I grimaced. Though I was infusing it with Yin God Power, unlike with Yodo Muramasa, the spear was pushing back. Muramasa had reacted as if savoring a delicious meal and feeling delighted, but this spear was different. It clearly didn't welcome the Yin God Power.

Picky thing...!

A moment later, drawing out more Yin God Power became burdensome, and sweat beaded on my forehead. Fearing I'd lose the accumulated Yin God Power if I pushed further—since it was still in the process of accumulation—I finally stopped.

When Mangnyang heard my report, he said regretfully,

"I thought infusing Yin God Power might manifest the power and memories sealed within the spear as a spirit... What a shame."

Mangnyang's proposal was to awaken the weapon's ego by infusing it with Yin God Power!

Yodo Muramasa hadn't originally possessed an ego either, but when I strongly infused it with Yin God Power, it reacted and awakened a frenzied ego. After awakening, it could even use techniques and rampage modes that it hadn't possessed before. I figured the same method could work on other weapons.

Cheon Woo-jin, who had been observing, said,

"Hand me that spear for a moment."

When I handed it over without hesitation, he recited the Urgent Yielding Ritual incantation, opened his spirit eyes, and examined it closely. Then he said,

"It wasn't useless. The spear's spirit ego is on the verge of sprouting."

"Due to the Yin God Power?"

Nodding, Cheon Woo-jin replied,

"It's the power of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors—nothing's impossible with it. But in my view, it simply lacked sufficient power to fully awaken."

"No way. There's no human on earth who possesses more Yin God Power than I do."

"I think it's due to the weapon's inherent nature. Yodo Muramasa naturally harbors demonic energy and has high affinity for intense yin essence, but this silver spear is the opposite. It harbors holy power and bears traces of dragon-slaying. It's probably rejecting the Yin God Power as the might of an evil god."

I was startled by Cheon Woo-jin's words.

"Dragon-slaying?! You mean someone killed a dragon with this spear?"

"It's infused with a dragon's curse. Of course, it's just ornamental—likely the grudge from when the dragon was slain. Using this silver spear to hunt dragons would be highly effective."

"Then if I pour in more Yin God Power, will the spear awaken?"

After pondering my question, Cheon Woo-jin said,

"You could, but it's better not to."

"Why?"

"Inefficient. From what I see, awakening this spear would require at least ten years' worth of Yin God Power. Your goal is to achieve great completion in Yin God Power quickly—wasting it on a single spear spirit seems unwise."

"Y-you're right."

Hearing Cheon Woo-jin, I grew cautious. After all, in this reincarnation, I was building Yin God Power using Jeon Wook's bronze statue. It was a time to conserve, not squander. Mangnyang, standing nearby, said,

"But Baek Woong, Yin God Power seems to change in quality the more you accumulate. Once you've gathered enough, you might be able to awaken a weapon's spirit without losing any power."

"Hmm..."

Hearing Mangnyang, I thought,

'Then it might be best to try again after accumulating at least a hundred years' worth of Yin God Power.'

Mangnyang's scheme was quite useful. Since Yin God Power is divine might, treasures with deep histories or exceptional quality react to it and awaken as spirits. Once I accumulate more Yin God Power, I could awaken the spirits of hoarded treasures or peerless weapons, elevating them to a higher realm! Moreover, enhanced items would surely be treated as higher-grade offerings when sacrificed.

A sudden thought struck me, and I said,

"By the way, what happens if I infuse massive perfected-level Yin God Power into the Seven Luminaries?"

"Hmm... That's something only trying it would reveal."

Mangnyang, letting out a groan, said,

"However, I can predict it would lead to something close to self-destruction. The Water Luminary might be a bit different."

"Because each of the Seven Luminaries was forged from the power of different Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?"

"That's part of it... In my opinion,"

Fanning himself, Mangnyang continued,

"If the Seven Luminaries' spirits awaken, it could cause a catastrophe."

"Hm?"

"The spirits of the Seven Luminaries would be on another level. They'd essentially be divine spirits, wielding world-shattering power."

"I agree with Sanuk's view."

Cheon Woo-jin interjected from the side.

"Better not to."

"......"

"In Jeon Wook's case, he was a god and could control the Seven Luminaries' power himself, but you're not."

A catastrophe.

It was frustrating to have the ability to awaken weapon souls within reach, yet be unable to touch the supreme weapons, the Seven Luminaries. As I smacked my lips, Mangnyang said,

"Then let's get going. No point wasting time."

"Got it."

I headed to perform the ritual offering with Mangnyang and Cheon Woo-jin. I placed the silver spear as the sacrifice, planted flags to form the altar, and soon Cheon Woo-jin began chanting to summon a heavenly spirit.

Rumble

Cheon Woo-jin's eyes changed. He had entered a state of spirit possession by a great heavenly immortal. The entity possessing his body looked at me and said,

[Are you the one who summoned the Mount Tai Earth Lord?]

Bowing with clasped hands, I replied,

"Yes. Are you the Mount Tai Earth Lord?"

[......]

There was no immediate response, only silence. After a prolonged pause, the entity finally spoke.

[I hold the office of Mount Tai Earth Lord, but no such lord truly exists.]

"Then you are..."

[I am the North Dipper Star Lord. I also bear the title of Mount Tai Earth Lord.]

As expected!

It matched Cheon Woo-jin's prediction. The Gambling Immortals, North Dipper Star Lord and South Dipper Star Lord, were actually from the Underworld, masquerading as Mount Tai Earth Lords. Feigning surprise, I put on a slightly shocked expression before saying to him,

"... It doesn't matter. I've offered the sacrifice—please inspect it. And grant me permission to enter and exit the Underworld!"

[Permission to the Underworld... You desire it?]

"Yes."

The North Dipper Star Lord looked displeased as he said,

[Why do you wish to go to the Underworld? Anyone goes there upon death anyway.]

"What's the point of finding out after dying? I simply want to know firsthand where I'll end up after death."

[Foolish thirst for knowledge... Hmph...]

That was when it happened.

Whoosh

A hazy figure appeared beside the North Dipper Star Lord. It soon transformed into a being wearing an official's headaddress, who said to the North Dipper Star Lord,

[North Dipper Star Lord, I've looked into it—this one wields the Nine Heavens Profound Lady's Immortal Sword and is quite famous for it. And recently, he offered sacrifices to that monkey as well.]

[What...? South Dipper Star Lord, is this true?]

[Why would I lie?]

[Hmm.]

Suspicion crept into the North Dipper Star Lord's gaze. He then said,

[Suspicious. What are you scheming, recklessly offering sacrifices to great heavenly beings?]

"It's nothing suspicious. If you truly object, I can cancel the ritual right now."

As Mangnyang had advised, I adopted a straightforward, yielding attitude. The North Dipper Star Lord then said,

[In the past, a sorcerer borrowed our power to meet King Yama and returned to the mortal world with vastly extended lifespan... However, he had convincing prowess and heavenly mandate, so we permitted it.]

"......"

[Are you also seeking to extend your lifespan by entering the Underworld?]

"That's correct."

[Heh... Foolish indeed. Very well, take the Underworld Passage Permit and do as you please.]

Flash

In the next instant, the possession on Cheon Woo-jin lifted, and both the North Dipper and South Dipper Star Lords vanished. Mangnyang, who had been watching the ritual, supported Cheon Woo-jin and said to me,

"At any rate, the ritual succeeded."

"Now let's head to Mount Beimang and pass through the Underworld Gate."

We moved to Mount Beimang. Upon reaching the base, Cheon Woo-jin said,

"Baek Woong, use the Flame Eye Golden Mirror."

"Got it."

"The darkest hue marks the Underworld."

Pwoosh

Activating the Flame Eye Golden Mirror as instructed, I sensed I could now perceive hidden realms. Cautiously shifting my gaze, the same landscape appeared in various colors, and I selected the darkest, most ominous one among the overlaid worlds.

'The Flame Eye Golden Mirror lets me see overlapping hidden realms...'

Whooo

Viewing Mount Beimang through the Flame Eye Golden Mirror, connected to the Underworld, the terrain remained the same, but reaper messengers, judges, and underworld warriors were visibly scurrying about. Shockingly, a horde of reaper messengers had gathered on Mount Beimang. They seemed to be guarding a massive 'gate' at the peak—that had to be the Underworld Gate leading to the afterlife.

As I stared intently at Mount Beimang, Cheon Woo-jin said,

"Now the Underworld should be easy to see. You could do this with Spirit Vision too, but the Flame Eye Golden Mirror will carry over even after reincarnation, expanding your early options."

"Hmm... With the Underworld Passage Permit, can I just go straight in?"

"No... That would be idiotic. If it were that simple, the Mount Tai Earth Lord ritual wouldn't require such elaborate preparations."

"Then?"

Cheon Woo-jin said curtly,

"Obviously, the permit only allows passage through that gate, but those Underworld minions will try to block us the moment we attempt entry."

"......"

"And look at those brazen bastards."

"Where?"

"Right in front of the Underworld Gate."

I amplified the Flame Eye Golden Mirror's power and peered at the gate.

There, standing fully armed, were two figures.

"......"

The North Dipper Star Lord and South Dipper Star Lord.

Seeing them, I couldn't help but shout in disbelief,

"They grant the permit and then block it themselves?!"

"Didn't we already see how shady they are from your last reincarnation, when they served as the Queen Mother of the West's lackeys? We should've expected this."

"What do we do?"

"Two options: Crush that horde of Underworld minions by force and charge in, or give up on the Underworld."

"Damn it!"

Neither appealed. Above all, abandoning the Underworld trip so ambiguously would leave me too frustrated to sleep. As I vented my anger, Mangnyang said,

"Something's off."

"What?"

"......"

After thinking long and hard, Mangnyang said,

"With Underworld minions camped near Luoyang like that, how could they not know about Zhuge Yuryung's wicked deeds? He must perform human sacrifices and practice evil sorcery constantly."

"Hmm..."

"Baek Woong, this is serious. Perhaps..."

That was when it happened.

Whirr

Time seemed to freeze. Mangnyang stopped mid-sentence, frozen in temporal stasis, while Cheon Woo-jin appeared shielded by a barrier against the effect.

Then, a familiar voice echoed from nearby.

"You've figured out everything worth figuring out."

"You're..."

"Shall I lend a hand to you donors?"

From beyond the bushes emerged a monk in ancient robes, standing calmly amid the halted time—

The Eight Legions Divine Bell, Heavenly Being Triple Commander Mage.

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